Ausangate Trek, Rainbow Mountain & Machu Picchu – 6 Days

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Ausangate, Rainbow Mountain & Machu Picchu Trek – 6 Days / 5 Nights

Experience one of the most spectacular Peru trekking packages in six days, combining the remote landscapes of Ausangate, the colorful slopes of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), the historic Short Inca Trail and the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu. This adventure connects high-altitude Andean scenery, traditional communities, glacial lakes and remarkable Inca archaeological sites.

Duration: 6 days / 5 nights Starting and ending point: Cusco, Peru Difficulty: Challenging Maximum altitude: Approximately 5,000 m / 16,404 ft Accommodation: 3 nights camping, 1 night in Ollantaytambo and 1 night in Aguas Calientes Tour type: Guided trekking adventure Recommended season: May–September, subject to weather and trail conditions

Day 1: Cusco – Pacchanta – Seven Lakes

Your Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain trek begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco. Travel through the beautiful Andean countryside toward Pacchanta, a traditional highland community located beneath the impressive Ausangate massif.

After arriving, enjoy lunch and prepare for your first hike. Explore the surrounding high-Andean landscapes, with opportunities to appreciate mountain views, glacial scenery and local wildlife. The Seven Lakes area offers striking contrasts between turquoise waters, rugged mountains and snow-covered peaks.

After your hike, settle into camp and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner beneath the Andean sky.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Walking distance: Approximately 10 km / 6.2 miles
Walking time: Approximately 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, depending on acclimatization.

Day 2: Seven Lakes – Upis – Apara Pass – Puka Qocha

Wake up to beautiful views of the Ausangate mountain range before continuing deeper into the remote Andes. Today's hike follows spectacular mountain trails through landscapes shaped by glaciers, high-altitude lakes and traditional pastoral life.

Walk past the turquoise and blue lakes of the Ausangate region, with opportunities to observe llamas and alpacas grazing across the highland grasslands. Continue over the mountain passes and through the dramatic scenery surrounding the Puka Qocha area.

Your trekking team will prepare meals and organize camp, allowing you to focus on the landscape and the experience of hiking in one of Peru's most impressive mountain regions.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Walking distance: Approximately 16 km / 9.9 miles
Walking time: Approximately 9–10 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Highlights: Glacial lakes, Andean wildlife and panoramic Ausangate views.

Day 3: Puka Qocha – Rainbow Mountain Region – Warmisaya Pass – Yana Qocha

Today brings you closer to the spectacular landscapes of Vinicunca, internationally known as Rainbow Mountain. Begin early and hike through the remote highlands, where mineral-rich hillsides display striking shades of red, ochre, gold and other natural colors.

Continue through the surrounding valleys toward Warmisaya Pass, where the vast Andean landscape opens up to panoramic mountain views. This is an excellent opportunity for landscape photography and for appreciating the geological formations that make the Rainbow Mountain region so distinctive.

After the day's demanding hike, continue toward Yana Qocha, where your crew will prepare camp and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Walking distance: Approximately 16 km / 9.9 miles
Walking time: Approximately 7–8 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Highlights: Vinicunca landscapes, Warmisaya Pass and remote Andean valleys.

Day 4: Yana Qocha – Rainbow Mountain – Red Valley – Ollantaytambo

Start the morning with a hike toward the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint. Depending on the weather and trail conditions, an early departure may provide softer light and a quieter experience. Take time to enjoy the extraordinary colors of Vinicunca and the surrounding mountain scenery.

Continue toward the Red Valley, a dramatic landscape of reddish slopes and eroded formations that contrasts with the colors of Rainbow Mountain. After exploring the area, descend along the established route and meet your support team for lunch.

In the afternoon, travel by vehicle to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Check into your hotel, enjoy a hot shower and rest after several days of high-altitude trekking.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Walking distance: Approximately 6 km / 3.7 miles
Walking time: Approximately 3–4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Highlights: Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley and the transition from the high Andes to the Sacred Valley.

Day 5: Ollantaytambo – Short Inca Trail – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, transfer to the Ollantaytambo railway station and board the train toward Kilometer 104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The exact train schedule and departure arrangements will be confirmed according to availability.

After the checkpoint, visit Chachabamba, an important Inca archaeological site, before beginning the hike through the lush cloud forest.

Follow ancient stone pathways and Inca stairways toward Wiñay Wayna, one of the most impressive archaeological sites along this section of the Inca Trail. Explore its agricultural terraces and ceremonial structures while learning about the engineering and cultural legacy of the Inca civilization.

Continue along the trail to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where you can enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. After taking photographs and appreciating the scenery, continue according to the authorized trail itinerary and transfer by bus to Aguas Calientes.

Spend the night in your hotel and prepare for the following day's guided visit to Machu Picchu.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Walking distance: Approximately 14 km / 8.7 miles
Walking time: Approximately 6–7 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Highlights: Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, ancient Inca pathways and Inti Punku

Important: The Short Inca Trail requires an advance permit. Availability is subject to official allocations, and the route and access arrangements must follow the authorized itinerary.

Day 6: Machu Picchu Guided Tour – Return to Cusco

Wake up early and travel by bus from Aguas Calientes to the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Accompanied by your professional guide, explore the archaeological site's principal sectors, learning about its religious significance, agricultural terraces, ceremonial spaces, stone architecture and the Inca civilization that built this remarkable mountain citadel.

Your visit will follow the circuit assigned to your entrance ticket. After the guided tour, return to Aguas Calientes and board the scheduled train to Ollantaytambo, followed by road transportation to Cusco.

Your six-day Ausangate, Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu adventure concludes with unforgettable memories of Peru's high Andes and Inca heritage.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Not included after the tour ends in Cusco
Walking time at Machu Picchu: Approximately 2–3 hours, depending on the assigned circuit
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Machu Picchu guided tour, Inca architecture and panoramic mountain scenery.

What's Included

Professional English-speaking trekking guide and Machu Picchu guide.
Tourist transportation between Cusco and the trek starting and ending points, as specified in the itinerary.
Train tickets for the Short Inca Trail and the return journey from Aguas Calientes.
Official Short Inca Trail permit, subject to confirmation.
Machu Picchu entrance ticket for the confirmed circuit.
Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
Three nights of camping during the Ausangate trek.
One hotel night in Ollantaytambo and one hotel night in Aguas Calientes.
Camping tents shared by two travelers, dining tent and cooking equipment.
Professional trekking cook and support crew.
Pack animals for camping equipment and the agreed baggage allowance.
Meals as indicated in the itinerary: five breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners.
Drinking water at designated meal stops and trail snacks.
Sleeping mattress.
Basic first-aid kit and emergency oxygen.
Emergency support from the trekking team.

What's Not Included

Flights to and from Peru.
Accommodation in Cusco before or after the tour.
Meals not specifically listed in the itinerary.
Sleeping bag and trekking poles, unless confirmed in your booking.
Personal trekking clothing, footwear and equipment.
Personal travel and high-altitude evacuation insurance.
Tips for guides, cooks, drivers and support staff.
Personal expenses, drinks and souvenirs.
Optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets.
Optional horse riding or additional porter services.
Any additional services not expressly listed under inclusions.

Price Per Person:2027 in usd

1 traveler US$1,950

2 travelers US$1,550

3 travelers US$1,500

4 travelers US$1,450

5 travelers US$1,400

6 travelers US$1,350

7 travelers US$1,300.

EXTRAS. Confort package usd 120.00
Sleeping Bag –per trek (It will be clean and warm)
Air Mattress –per trek (Therma rest mattresses)
Walking Poles - per pair per trek (Professional poles that can be extended)
Pillow per trek:
X Gratuity for staff (Guide, chef, porters, horsemens)
X Accommodation in Cusco
X Airfare
X Travel insurance
X Lunch & Dinner Day 6
X Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (can be reserved in advance available for additional fee of $8O per person

Weather: Hot and humid (bring water and rain gear)
•Includes: Breakfast
Add-Ons & Upgrades
Upgrades you can include in this trip:
•Huayna Picchu Mountain $80 USD
•Machu Picchu Mountain $80 USD
•Huchuy Picchu Mountain (small Picchu M) $80 USD
•Single supplement (hotel Aguas Calientes) – $45 USD
•Single supplement (camping tent) $35 USD
Additional items you can rent for this trip:

Important links abot the inca trail

https://incalandadventures.com/2-days-inca-trail-trek-to-machupicchu

https://incalandadventures.com/private-inca-trail-trek-4-days

https://incalandadventures.com/inca-trail-trek-4-days-3-nights-machu-picchu

https://incalandadventures.com/ultimate-5-day-inca-trail-trek-to-machu-picchu

https://incalandadventures.com/salkantay-trek-short-inca-trail-machu-picchu-5-days

https://incalandadventures.com/lares-trek-machu-picchu-5-days-short-inca-trail

https://incalandadventures.com/6-day-salkantay-trek-classic-inca-trail-machu-picchu

Our travel tips.

https://incalandadventures.com/why-older-travelers-should-consider-private-inca-trail-tours-instead-of-hiking-with-younger-groups

https://incalandadventures.com/i-will-never-go-hiking-or-so-i-thought

https://incalandadventures.com/top-off-the-beaten-path-treks-to-machu-picchu